Re: NTP clock update

#250

You are right, Mitch.? ?In general, virtually all of the microcontroller chips on Blue Pills are fakes/clones.? ?And the knockoff programmers also use fake STM32 microcontrollers inside of them.? Quality control is not very good.? ?For me they are fun to experiment with.?? They work most of the time, but not all of the time.? Not all of my Blue Pills work (I have a bag of them), and I have gone through 3 programmers already.?

In contrast, the Raspberry Pi is very reliable.? I am looking forward to seeing more about their new microcontroller, the RP4020.? See?

In the pocket tutor project, I went with a genuine STM32 micro.? But at more than $6, that single chip is three times the cost of a Blue Pill.

Bruce

Show quoted text

On Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 10:58 AM w4oa@... <w4oa@...> wrote:

Thanks for the response, Bruce.

I have a couple of the ST-Link v2 programmers that I had never tried to use. After trying to use the first one, unsuccessfully, I switched to the second one. It kinda worked, it was the one that I got to program one board and a second board said it was programmed, but was not. Two boards refused to program, period!

Then, I accidentally pulled the cover off of the first programmer. The pins were labeled on the pcb, and guess what? The pin legend on the cover DID NOT match the legend on the pcb. I then compared the two programmers, and the pcb labeling on the connector pins were the same, but the labeling on the covers were different. That solved the mystery of the firs programmer refusing to work!

I am wondering if the chips on the boards I could not program properly are fakes. I looked at the chip labels and they all appeared the same as as far as I could tell, correct. ST-Link, running on my Raspberry Pi, would report different flash sizes, some 64k, some 128k. The boards were all supposed to be 64k. Windows ST-Link refused to recognize the programmer, always saying port in use. That was why I switched to the RPi.

Anyway, thanks for the very cool projects!

Mitch W4OA

Re: NTP clock update

#249

Thanks for the response, Bruce.

I have a couple of the ST-Link v2 programmers that I had never tried to use. After trying to use the first one, unsuccessfully, I switched to the second one. It kinda worked, it was the one that I got to program one board and a second board said it was programmed, but was not. Two boards refused to program, period!

Then, I accidentally pulled the cover off of the first programmer. The pins were labeled on the pcb, and guess what? The pin legend on the cover DID NOT match the legend on the pcb. I then compared the two programmers, and the pcb labeling on the connector pins were the same, but the labeling on the covers were different. That solved the mystery of the firs programmer refusing to work!

I am wondering if the chips on the boards I could not program properly are fakes. I looked at the chip labels and they all appeared the same as as far as I could tell, correct. ST-Link, running on my Raspberry Pi, would report different flash sizes, some 64k, some 128k. The boards were all supposed to be 64k. Windows ST-Link refused to recognize the programmer, always saying port in use. That was why I switched to the RPi.

Anyway, thanks for the very cool projects!

Mitch W4OA

Re: NTP clock update

#248

With the STM32 'Blue Pill' and an ST-LINK/V2, a .bin file can be
uploaded relatively easier than installing the tool chain for the
STM32 and getting it to work in the Arduino IDE. If I remember
correctly, the .bin file is cross platform? So, for example, if the
.bin file is created on a MS-Windows10 PC, it can be uploaded to the
STM32 board, using an ST-LINK/V2, with a Mac or Linux PC.

Regards,
Ken, KM4NFQ "Not Fully Qualified"
/g/w8bhMorseTutor

Show quoted text

On Mon, Feb 15, 2021 at 7:50 AM Bruce Hall <bhall66@...> wrote:

Mitch,

Yes, the STM32 can be difficult, especially if you are trying to get a bootloader working.   I never got a bootloader to work well.   Even if you do, the USB connectors on the Blue Pill are notoriously unreliable.

The fastest and easiest method to program a Blue Pill is with an inexpensive programmer called the ST-Link v2.   Knockoffs are widely available on eBay and Amazon for about $6.   I purchased mine on sale for less.   It is well worth the money.   See 

Bruce
w8bh.net

On Mon, Feb 15, 2021 at 1:32 AM w4oa@... <w4oa@...> wrote:

Bruce,

I sure hope you consider adding ESP controllers to the GPS clock. I have spent two evenings trying to program STM32 blue pill boards, with limited success. One board I have managed to get programmed with a bootloader, one board says the bootloader upload was successful but it was't, and two boards refuse to be programmed. The ESP boards come with a bootloader, and it works!!!

Thanks for sharing your projects, they are very simple hardware wise with very sophisticated software.

Mitch W4OA
Opelika, AL

Re: NTP clock update

#247

Mitch,

Yes, the STM32 can be difficult, especially if you are trying to get a bootloader working.? ?I never got a bootloader to work well.? ?Even if you do, the USB connectors on the Blue Pill are notoriously unreliable.? ? ??

The fastest and easiest method to program a Blue Pill is with an inexpensive programmer called the ST-Link v2.? ?Knockoffs are widely available on eBay and Amazon for about $6.? ?I purchased mine on sale for less.? ?It is well worth the money.? ?See

Bruce

Show quoted text

On Mon, Feb 15, 2021 at 1:32 AM w4oa@... <w4oa@...> wrote:

Bruce,

I sure hope you consider adding ESP controllers to the GPS clock. I have spent two evenings trying to program STM32 blue pill boards, with limited success. One board I have managed to get programmed with a bootloader, one board says the bootloader upload was successful but it was't, and two boards refuse to be programmed. The ESP boards come with a bootloader, and it works!!!

Thanks for sharing your projects, they are very simple hardware wise with very sophisticated software.

Mitch W4OA
Opelika, AL

Re: NTP clock update

#246

Bruce,

I sure hope you consider adding ESP controllers to the GPS clock. I have spent two evenings trying to program STM32 blue pill boards, with limited success. One board I have managed to get programmed with a bootloader, one board says the bootloader upload was successful but it was't, and two boards refuse to be programmed. The ESP boards come with a bootloader, and it works!!!

Thanks for sharing your projects, they are very simple hardware wise with very sophisticated software.

Mitch W4OA
Opelika, AL

Re: NTP clock update

#245

Karl,

Your design really looks very attractive! I am ready to put my 9" version together, received the Adafruit ESP8266 card yesterday. I would like to build a small version to give as a gift to a friend. I also have an Ender 3, it would be great if you could share your stl files. How can I get a copy?

Mitch W4OA
Opelika, AL

Re: NTP clock update

#244

Hello Karl Jan LA3FY,

Wow! Nice enclosure for your W8BH NTP Clock. That looks really sharp.
Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Ken, KM4NFQ "Not Fully Qualified"
/g/w8bhMorseTutor

On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 9:57 AM Karl Jan Skontorp
<karl.jan.skontorp@...> wrote:

Bruce, thank you very much for making such a nice project! The code compiled without any problems, and together with a new printed box, I've got a very nice clock for the shack!
I have used DesignSpark Mechanical to draw the box and print it on my Ender 3. I'll share the files if anyone is interested! The box is adapted to ESP8266 and 2.2" TFT.

Karl Jan
LA3FY

Re: NTP clock update

#243

Bruce, thank you very much for making such a nice project! The code compiled without any problems, and together with a new printed box, I've got a very nice clock for the shack!
I have used DesignSpark Mechanical to draw the box and print it on my Ender 3. I'll share the files if anyone is interested! The box is adapted to ESP8266 and 2.2" TFT.

Karl Jan
LA3FY

ESP8266_DualClock.png

Re: NTP clock update

#242

Thank you, Bruce W8BH, for sharing your work with us
All of it looks very good. You have the beginnings of a book.

I am still going to try and make one from a W8BH ESP32 Morse Tutor.
Maybe next month I will order some PCBs from JLCPCB.
That way, all the Chinese New Year holidays will be over.

Regards,
Ken, KM4NFQ "Not Fully Qualified"
/g/w8bhMorseTutor

Show quoted text

On Sat, Feb 6, 2021 at 4:38 PM Bruce Hall <bhall66@...> wrote:

There are a few small updates to the NTP clock.  The code now supports ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers.  New PCBs using the ESP8266 were designed, which support 2.2, 2.8, and 3.2" displays.  And a builder's guide was created that includes a schematic, clickable bill of materials, and troubleshooting guide.

Description:  

Builder's guide:  

Code:   

PCB:  

Bruce
w8bh.net

NTP clock update

#241

There are a few small updates to the NTP clock.? The code now supports ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers.? New PCBs using the ESP8266 were designed, which support 2.2, 2.8, and 3.2" displays.? And a builder's guide was created that includes a schematic, clickable bill of materials, and troubleshooting guide.

Description:?

Builder's guide:?

Code:? ?

PCB:?

Bruce

Re: Case for the Morse Tutor

#240

开云体育

Thanks for the info. I believe that I have at least one of those in my connector “box” under the bench. I’ll have to get it out and give it a try!? Thanks Mark.

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

Show quoted text

From: Mark Hatch
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 3:44 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [w8bhMorseTutor] Case for the Morse Tutor

?

I just had one of these hanging around and gave it a try and it worked!

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Allan Hale <hale.allanm@...>
Date: Friday, January 29, 2021 at 12:14 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [w8bhMorseTutor] Case for the Morse Tutor

Hello Mark,

I never thought about that possibility.? Now you have got me started thinking about it.? Thanks for the idea and I will delve into it a little more.? Appreciate the feedback.

?

All for now,

73,

Allan,? WA9IRS

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

From: Mark Hatch
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 1:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [w8bhMorseTutor] Case for the Morse Tutor

?

Great job!

You might check to see if it will run on USB power. For some reason (and may have an older board but the form factor looks right), it runs fine on USB.

73
Mark
AJ6CU

?

C6AD0FC572CC48A79C986A5B1F90EE4B.png

Re: Case for the Morse Tutor

#239

开云体育

I just had one of these hanging around and gave it a try and it worked!

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Allan Hale <hale.allanm@...>
Date: Friday, January 29, 2021 at 12:14 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [w8bhMorseTutor] Case for the Morse Tutor

Hello Mark,

I never thought about that possibility.? Now you have got me started thinking about it.? Thanks for the idea and I will delve into it a little more.? Appreciate the feedback.

?

All for now,

73,

Allan,? WA9IRS

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

Show quoted text

From: Mark Hatch
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 1:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [w8bhMorseTutor] Case for the Morse Tutor

?

Great job!

You might check to see if it will run on USB power. For some reason (and may have an older board but the form factor looks right), it runs fine on USB.

73
Mark
AJ6CU

?

Re: Case for the Morse Tutor

#238

开云体育

Hello Mark,

I never thought about that possibility.? Now you have got me started thinking about it.? Thanks for the idea and I will delve into it a little more.? Appreciate the feedback.

?

All for now,

73,

Allan,? WA9IRS

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

Show quoted text

From: Mark Hatch
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 1:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [w8bhMorseTutor] Case for the Morse Tutor

?

Great job!

You might check to see if it will run on USB power. For some reason (and may have an older board but the form factor looks right), it runs fine on USB.

73
Mark
AJ6CU

?

0B7C241725834B83A3706F21AE278B82.png

Re: Case for the Morse Tutor

#237

开云体育

Hi Dennis,

This plastic case was a “one-off” that was inspired by my own frustration with having to share my electronic shop with a wood and metal work shop with no separation between them.? I’m sure you understand the amount of dust that can easily be generated and become airborne attaching itself to everything around.? To prevent that I worked up the plastic case as a necessity.? As a result I do not have any additional cases to offer up. It just was done to self protect my Morse Tutor!

All for now, 73,

Allan

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

Show quoted text

From: Dennis Tiu
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2021 1:18 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [w8bhMorseTutor] Case for the Morse Tutor

?

Allan,

?

Your solution is elegant. By any chance, are you going to offer a case set for a fee? I too have been looking for a case for my morse tutor. But, I did not like the 3D printer versions. They mask the beauty of the decoder.

73,

Dennis Tiu
KN6IPE

?

On Fri, Jan 29, 2021, 9:52 AM Allan Hale <hale.allanm@...> wrote:

Hello All:? I decided that I needed to put some plastic over the unit to keep the dust out and also to make the unit a little more ruggedized for my use around the shop, the car and the office.? I looked for on-line sources but since I don’t have a 3D-printer I opted for a simpler technology and used clear Lucite sheet stock with corner spacers and 4/40 hardware to secure the panels.? I had a lot of cut-off scraps laying around the shop and decided to use my 1/8^th inch stock for the construction.? I am including three photos of the unit in its plastic cover.? Thus far I’m really pleased with it and the unit is easily heard through the plastic without drilling or routing out a speaker grill.
All for now, 73,
WA9IRS? Allan
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Sent from for Windows 10
?

?

20D2C15A7DFA4A18845181D2F023505C.png

Re: Case for the Morse Tutor

Dennis Tiu

#236

Allan,

Your solution is elegant. By any chance, are you going to offer a case set for a fee? I too have been looking for a case for my morse tutor. But, I did not like the 3D printer versions. They mask the beauty of the decoder.

73,

Dennis Tiu
KN6IPE

Show quoted text

On Fri, Jan 29, 2021, 9:52 AM Allan Hale <hale.allanm@...> wrote:

Hello All:? I decided that I needed to put some plastic over the unit to keep the dust out and also to make the unit a little more ruggedized for my use around the shop, the car and the office.? I looked for on-line sources but since I don’t have a 3D-printer I opted for a simpler technology and used clear Lucite sheet stock with corner spacers and 4/40 hardware to secure the panels.? I had a lot of cut-off scraps laying around the shop and decided to use my 1/8^th inch stock for the construction.? I am including three photos of the unit in its plastic cover.? Thus far I’m really pleased with it and the unit is easily heard through the plastic without drilling or routing out a speaker grill.
All for now, 73,
WA9IRS? Allan
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Sent from for Windows 10
?

Re: Case for the Morse Tutor

#235

Great job!

You might check to see if it will run on USB power. For some reason (and may have an older board but the form factor looks right), it runs fine on USB.

73
Mark
AJ6CU

Case for the Morse Tutor

#234

开云体育

Hello All:? I decided that I needed to put some plastic over the unit to keep the dust out and also to make the unit a little more ruggedized for my use around the shop, the car and the office.? I looked for on-line sources but since I don’t have a 3D-printer I opted for a simpler technology and used clear Lucite sheet stock with corner spacers and 4/40 hardware to secure the panels.? I had a lot of cut-off scraps laying around the shop and decided to use my 1/8^th inch stock for the construction.? I am including three photos of the unit in its plastic cover.? Thus far I’m really pleased with it and the unit is easily heard through the plastic without drilling or routing out a speaker grill.

All for now, 73,

WA9IRS? Allan

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

DSC07009a.JPG

DSC07010a.JPG

DSC07013a.JPG

Re: NTP Clock on ESP8266

#233

Hello Mark AA7TA,

Thank you for your reply with all the details for using an ESP8266
module for an NTP clock.
The instructions you posted look very straight forward.

Regards,
Ken, KM4NFQ "Not Fully Qualified"
/g/w8bhMorseTutor

Show quoted text

On Tue, Jan 19, 2021 at 9:49 PM Mark M <junquemaile@...> wrote:

OK...here it is...

Follow the steps in Bruce's write-up () with these changes:

- In the IDE, add this URL to the Additional Boards Manager URLS list in Preferences: 

- In the Boards Manager install the esp8266 board

- Modify the User_Setup.h file in your TFT_eSPI library directory. I saved the existing file and created a new one with only these lines:

//TFT Defs for ESP8266
#define ILI9341_DRIVER
#define TFT_MOSI PIN_D7
#define TFT_MISO PIN_D6
#define TFT_SCLK PIN_D5
#define TOUCH_CS -1
#define TFT_CS   PIN_D8
#define TFT_DC   PIN_D3
#define TFT_RST  -1
#define LOAD_GLCD
#define LOAD_FONT2
#define LOAD_FONT4
#define LOAD_FONT6
#define LOAD_FONT7
#define LOAD_FONT8
#define LOAD_GFXFF
#define SPI_FREQUENCY  40000000
#define SPI_READ_FREQUENCY  20000000
#define SPI_TOUCH_FREQUENCY  2500000

- Change the wiring from the display to the board:

  Display pin 3 to D8 on the 8266
                     5 to D3
                     6 to D7
                     7 to D5
                     9 to D6

  The other display pin connections are the same as in Bruce's write-up.


- In the source code, change the line

 #include <WiFi.h>
  to
 #include <ESP8266WiFi.h>

- From the Tools menu, select 'ESP8266 Boards' and then select the board you're using, 'Generic ESP8266 Module' worked for me

- Compile and Upload

I hope this makes sense. If you have any questions, let me know & I'll try to help.

The three boards for $14 are the ones I used.

73...     Mark      AA7TA

Re: NTP Clock on ESP8266

#232

OK...here it is...

Follow the steps in Bruce's write-up (http://w8bh.net/NTP_DualClock.pdf) with these changes:

- In the IDE, add this URL to the Additional Boards Manager URLS list in Preferences: https://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json

- In the Boards Manager install the esp8266 board

- Modify the User_Setup.h file in your TFT_eSPI library directory. I saved the existing file and created a new one with only these lines:

//TFT Defs for ESP8266
#define ILI9341_DRIVER
#define TFT_MOSI PIN_D7
#define TFT_MISO PIN_D6
#define TFT_SCLK PIN_D5
#define TOUCH_CS -1
#define TFT_CS?? PIN_D8
#define TFT_DC?? PIN_D3
#define TFT_RST? -1
#define LOAD_GLCD? ?
#define LOAD_FONT2 ?
#define LOAD_FONT4 ?
#define LOAD_FONT6 ?
#define LOAD_FONT7 ?
#define LOAD_FONT8 ?
#define LOAD_GFXFF
#define SPI_FREQUENCY? 40000000
#define SPI_READ_FREQUENCY? 20000000
#define SPI_TOUCH_FREQUENCY? 2500000

- Change the wiring from the display to the board:

? Display pin 3 to D8 on the 8266
????????? ? ? ? ? ?? 5 to D3
???????? ? ? ? ? ??? 6 to D7
???????? ? ? ? ? ??? 7 to D5
???????? ? ? ? ? ??? 9 to D6

? The other display pin connections are the same as in Bruce's write-up.

- In the source code, change the line

?#include <WiFi.h>
? to
?#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>

- From the Tools menu, select 'ESP8266 Boards' and then select the board you're using, 'Generic ESP8266 Module' worked for me

- Compile and Upload

I hope this makes sense. If you have any questions, let me know & I'll try to help.

The three boards for $14 are the ones I used.

73...???? Mark????? AA7TA

Re: NTP Clock on ESP8266

#231

On Amazon.com, 3 pieces of the ESP8266 cost $13.99 and one ESP32 costs
$10.99, so yeah!

Perfect for making clocks. Please post the details.

Regards,
Ken, KM4NFQ "Not Fully Qualified"
/g/w8bhMorseTutor

Show quoted text

On Mon, Jan 18, 2021 at 3:30 PM Mark M <junquemaile@...> wrote:

Greetings all...

The ESP8266 is another WiFi capable board that's available and affordable. They're a bit slower and have less memory and fewer pins than the ESP32 but are fine for many WiFi applications, like a clock.  Since I have a couple ESP8266 NodeMCU boards left over from another project, I thought I'd see if I could port Bruce's NTP clock code to run on one. It was pretty easy to get it going (an additional board definition, one line of code, and a few wiring changes) so if anyone's interested, let me know & I'll post the details.

Thanks to Bruce for sharing his clock projects. One can never have too many clocks.  :)

73...     Mark    AA7TA